FIRST LOOK
http://www.eonline.com/news
ON TELEVISION (MONDAY 12/30/19)
FOOD NETWORK: Chopped Sweets (Premiere) at 9pm
OUTDOOR CHANNEL: Longmire (Premiere) at 9pm
All’s well between Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and MSNBC. Yang steered clear of the news net after claims he was excluded from election coverage graphics and not given enough speaking time during debates, but he agreed to a remote interview with Chris Hayes on Friday. “Chris, and other MSNBC journalists, have reached out to me and the team in the past days,” explained Yang. “I decided that I’d prefer to speak to as many Americans as possible – our message is too important.” During his interview on All In with Chris Hayes, Yang said, “I would certainly never do anything to increase the chances of Donald Trump becoming president again or staying president. And I’m thrilled that I’m bringing Independents, Libertarians and disaffected Trump voters into the fold. That’s how we’re going to grow the Democratic party and that’s how we’re going to beat Donald Trump in 2020.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Spotify is putting a pause on political advertising , reports AdAge. “At this point in time, we do not yet have the necessary level of robustness in our process, systems and tools to responsibly validate and review this content,” the streamer said in a statement. “We will reassess this decision as we continue to evolve our capabilities.” Twitter started banning political ads last month
(Source: Cynopsis)
Bill Griffeth is stepping down from day-to-day anchoring after 28 years at CNBC. “ My current deal is up this month, and after more soul searching I had resolved to stay two more years because of Nightly Business Report, which has been a privilege to be a part of. And then that would be it. Promise,” said Griffeth. “But the decision to cease production of NBR has made my decision for me.” Griffeth will transition to anchor-at-large which means, he said, “I will stand ready with my pithy observations for Rapid Fire.”
(Source: Cynopsis)
Comcast and Starz struck a new carriage deal , days before the year-end expiration date of their last contract. The new agreement calls for programming from Starz parent Lionsgate going to NBCUniversal’s upcoming streaming service, Peacock, and NBCU content streaming on Starzplay. The deal will provide “a path to an orderly transition to an a la carte business,” said the announcement.
(Source: Cynopsis)
In more Comcast news, the Wall Street Journal reports the company – set to launch streaming service Peacock – is in talks to acquire OTT content services provider Xumo. The possible deal would follow Viacom’s acquisition of Pluto TV in January.
(Source: Cynopsis)
A legal dispute that started in 2016, when Netflix recruited two Fox executives who were under contract, took a twist that could streamline proceedings. With a trial set to start on January 27, Fox agreed to drop two of its three interference claims, despite winning a summary judgement from an LA judge. That move should make a trial unnecessary and allow the companies to take their arguments to California’s Second Appellate District.
(Source: Cynopsis)
A limited series remake of Stephen King’s Carrie is in early development at FX. Movie versions of the horror novel were released in 1976 and 2013; a TV movie came out in 2002.
(Source: Cynopsis)
A comedy from Laurence Fishburne and his Cinema Gypsy Productions is in development at ABC, reports Deadline. The series, starring Eddie B as a middle school football coach, is inspired by the teacher-turned-comedian’s stand-up.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Price hike at Sling TV: The price of the Dish Network streamer’s Orange and Blue tiers will each rise $5/month, to $30 and $45, respectively. The move comes along with the news that Sling has added Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network and the Big Ten Network. “ Sling customers have been clear: they want more live news and sports, and they want a cloud DVR included at purchase – and we listened,” said Sling EVP and Group President Warren Schlichting.
(Source: Cynopsis)
MTV is expanding its True Life franchise with True Life Crime , launching on MTV and VH1 commercial-free on Wednesday, January 8 at 9p. Eight-episode docuseries follows MTV News host Dometi Pongo as he investigates shocking crimes committed against young people.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Season two of anthology comedy Miracle Workers: Dark Ages launches Tuesday, January 28 on TBS. Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi star.
(Source: Cynopsis)
New docu-series How to Survive a Murder launches on Reelz on Friday, January 10 at 9p. Four-parter follows the search for truth amid cover-ups after a brutal murder. Also coming up on Reelz: Aaron Hernandez’s Killing Fields, examining the story of the NFL star convicted of murder, premieres Saturday, January 18 at 8p, while Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer, delving into the chilling behavior of murderers, debuts on the net Thursday, January 23 at 8p.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Man V. Food is back for a new season on Cooking Channel on Tuesday, February 25 at 10p. Casey Webb hits to road in search of America’s most delicious dishes and ultimate eating challenges.
(Source: Cynopsis)
Zoe Colletti (Scary Stories, A Boy Called Christmas) has joined the cast of Fear The Walking Dead as a series regular in the upcoming sixth season.
(Source: Cynopsis)
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker – $72 million
Jumanji: The Next Level – $35.3 million
Little Women – $16.5 million
Frozen II – $16.5 million
Spies In Disguise – $13.2 million
(Source: Box Office Mojo)
